''We just moved in two weeks before,'' said Wilson, 32, who is divorced. Since the Oct. 18 fire at 7281 6th Terrace, Wilson and her four children -- ages 9 to 14 -- have been living with her brother, his wife and their three children in a cramped, three-bedroom mobile home.

Red Cross volunteer Bertha Pence said Wilson has no insurance to cover the estimated $10,000 loss. The agency has provided some clothing, and Wilson said members of the Community Baptist Church have also helped.

''I reckon I've got everyone in the church looking for a place for me'' to rent, Wilson said.

But that's the toughest part: Wilson said she paid $600 to move into the mobile home and has no money left. She says it is difficult to find an affordable place to rent with four children because ''no one wants kids.''

Wilson's landlady, who lives in Virginia, offered to reimburse her $300, but she hasn't received the money. And Wilson's car problems prevented her from keeping her maid's job at a local motel. The auto finally was repaired the day of the fire.

''I had been thinking a little bit about Christmas, but now, it's nowhere on my mind,'' she said.

The Wilsons are one of two families whose mobile homes have burned in the past week. Ernest and Erma Carroll, and their 29-year-old son, Bob, lost their rented mobile home in a fire Wednesday afternoon while all were at work.

Like the Wilsons, the Carrolls have no insurance to cover the loss of personal belongings, including new furniture. They also say they have no savings. The Carrolls are temporarily staying with family in Osceola County.

Wilson said she receives no child support from her former husband, who is in Kentucky. She sought help obtaining child support through the state attorney's office, but said the children's father is unemployed.

Obtaining financial assistance and food stamps also is been difficult, she said, because she has no permanent address, which is a state requirement.

Besides the need for a place to live, eye-glasses are urgently needed for Wilson's 9-year-old daughter. The girl has stayed out of school for a week because she has poor vision.

Pence said donations to the Red Cross are tax-deductible and will go to any family the donor specifies.

Wilson said the fire especially has taken its toll on the children.'' They're real hurt over losing their belongings,'' she said. ''They haven't been sleeping well.''